Why I am Retired and Traveling the World

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation?” – Henry David Thoreau

Whenever I talked with my associates in deep East Texas about plans to liquidate our things and see the world a common theme is, “It is dangerous over there.” Mention Mexico and the conversation usually turns to being killed by Pablo Escobar or being kidnapped and held for ransom. Mention going to Africa and I hear, “Aren’t you afraid of catching a disease?” Even talk of Europe brings, “Those people are so conceited, and besides they are a bunch of socialists.” Usually, the less worldly and curious a person is the more bigoted and uninformed the comments are. The most negative commentary comes from those speaking of places they have never been and wishing to remain happily ignorant about them. “Don’t confuse me with facts. My mind is made up, and I am perfectly comfortable with my pre-conceived notions and prejudices.” I tend to see things differently. What is more dangerous, climbing a mountain or sitting by the TV letting the media make you fearful of everything? SCUBA diving among sharks or risking that third “Buck Double” from McDonald’s. Is it better to bunker down at home and fear the unknown or go out and make it known?We are not running from life; we are running to it. Some of the most productive and adventurous parts of our life are ahead of us, and we want to embrace it. We are not retiring; we are moving into “Life Part II.”

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

In 2011 Jonathan Look decided to change his life and pursue adventures instead of comfort and possessions. His goal is to travel the world solo; one country at a time, one year at a time. To accomplish this he got rid of most of his possessions, packed up what little he saw as necessities and headed out. His goal is to spend ten years discovering new places, meeting new people and taking the time to learn about them, their values and their place on this tiny planet. He embraces the philosophy that says a person is the sum of their experiences and rejects the fraud of modern consumerism that makes people into slaves of their consumption. He doesn't intend to be modern day ascetic, just more mindful of his place in the world and to make decisions according to that new standard.

In 2011 I sold everything I owned, took early retirement and began traveling the world. It was a pretty radical step, but after living a rather typical American life, a life based on seeking comforts and accumulating possessions, I longed for adventure and experiences far more than holding on to my “stuff.”

I started this blog to demonstrate to my fellow baby boomers that the world is not some scary place to fear, but it is an amazing place, full of adventure, that is still open and available to those who are motivated and curious enough to go out and see it for themselves.